Bear Is Not Tired

Starred review from November 2, 2015
Bear, first seen in Room for Bear, loves his life with the ducks, but when he realizes that they’ll be having fun while he’s hibernating, it triggers a major case of FOMO (fear of missing out). “So Bear decided to stay awake,” writes Gavin. But it’s hard to fight one’s nature, and after Bear keeps falling asleep during tennis matches and propped up against humming washing machines (“Every sound was a lullaby”), he gives in, awakening to a photo album that lets him share in what he missed. Contrasting Bear’s bulk against the ducks’ daintiness, Gavin’s watercolors offer humor and tenderness in equal supply, making this blended family irresistible. Ages 3–7. Agent: Anna Olswanger, Olswanger Literary.

October 1, 2015
Bear doesn't want to miss one moment with his duck family. Now that he is part of a loving blended family (Room for Bear, 2015), Bear wants to enter into every activity and bask in the loving acceptance he has found. Sometimes he even forgets that he isn't a duck. With winter approaching, he knows it's time to sleep, but he is determined to stay awake with the ducks. As time passes he becomes more and more lethargic, falling asleep in the middle of games and meals. Every household sound is like a lullaby. Finally Mama Duck insists that he must do what a bear must do. She promises that she will find a way of ensuring that he won't miss out on anything. While he hibernates, the ducks stay close, playing nearby and having naptime with him. When he awakens in spring, Mama Duck presents him with photos of all the family's winter activities, and there he is, sleeping peacefully in every photo, surrounded by their loving presence. Brief, simple sentences in bold, clear typeface are enhanced and illuminated by warmly hued illustrations that seamlessly fill in all the details. The endpapers are the photos from Mama Duck's album. It's an unlikely family that is depicted with tenderness and encouragement on every page. Warm and wonderful. (Picture book. 3-7)

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February 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-In Room For Bear (Knopf, 2015), Gavin introduced Bear into the duck family, where they are now all living quite happily. So happily, in fact, that Bear does not want to hibernate and miss all the fun the rest of his family will be having. Therefore, he decides to stay awake. He has his winter clothes all ready, and he's not the least bit sleepy. Despite his best efforts and those of his siblings, Bear begins to fall asleep at the most inconvenient times-while playing tennis, eating, boating, washing clothes, etc. Mama Duck finally explains that you can't fight who you are and sends Bear off to sleep with the promise that he won't miss a thing. When Bear awakes in the spring, she produces a photo album showing how he was included all winter long. Gavin's sweet and amusing illustrations of ducks and Bear are just as endearing in this story as in the first book. The warm watercolor and pencil depictions are matched with simple, uncluttered text. The end page shows charming "photos" of how Bear was included in the family all winter long. This is a good choice for storytime and individual sharing that pairs well with Monica Carnesi's Sleepover with Beatrice & Bear (Dial, 2014) and Michelle Meadows's Hibernation Station (S. & S., 2010). VERDICT A gentle story about being true to yourself and the love of family.-Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

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